Nikola Jokic has never been considered a good defender in the NBA but that notion might be changing after his impressive 2023 NBA Playoffs run.
The Serbian player is absolutely great on the offensive side of the ball, but his defense has always been a source of concern for other players. Well, now Jimmy Butler is giving props to Jokic, calling him a very good defender.
“As much as people look at what he does on the offensive end, he’s a hellified defender as well,” Butler said, via Tim McMahon.
Jimmy Butler on Nikola Jokic: “As much as people look at what he does on the offensive end, he’s a hellified defender as well.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 3, 2023
During the entire 2022-23 NBA season, many people claimed the Nuggets didn’t have a rim protector, and some used this argument to make the case for Joel Embiid as the 2023 MVP award winner.
Things got serious in the postseason, and the one playing in the Finals right now is Nikola Jokic, who has tried to do better when defending rivals. He has had big tasks during the postseason, going against Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns in the first round, then taking on Deandre Ayton in the West semifinals and then clashing with Anthony Davis in the Conference Finals.
Now, he has a big challenge in Bam Adebayo, and Jokic isn’t shying away from it. Just like other great offensive players, fans don’t like to acknowledge that he’s improved his level on the less glamorous side of the ball. Stephen Curry and James Harden went through the same routine, and now is Jokic’s turn.
Miami Heat Hope To Shock Denver Nuggets In Game 2
Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals should be better than the first one. Michael Malone identified a big problem the Nuggets had in Game 1 and will try to fix that before the Heat steals this match.
Butler and co. remain confident in their chances to win, but they know it won’t be easy going against Jokic and beat him, let alone at home. Still, Miami has defied the odds and proven doubters wrong this postseason, and they won’t want to stop right here.
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